RobF15e

I am a new owener of a 2007 E-320 Bluetec with 60,000 miles. I love the car, but it does have a problem I have never seen in any cars I have previously owened. It seems like the touque converter is nearly locked in 1st and 2nd gear. When driving slow in a parking lot, if in 1st or 2nd and you take your foot off the throttle the car decels very rapidly. At first I thought the parking brake was on, but it wasn't. If I am going faster and in 3rd or higher gear, the car coasts fine until it down shifts into 2nd which is very abrupt. Same when it down shifts ito 1st. It is noticible even when braking. The car idles fine so the TC obviously unlocks prior to idle. I have only had the car a week, and it has done this since I bought it. I don't want to go to the dealership if possible as I prefer to perform all my own work. My skill level is well above average. Any thoughts? Have other's had a similiar experience? I am 50 and have owned 20+ cars and trucks and work on many of my friend's vehicles, so I am not a novice. Neither of my Ford Super Duty Diesels acted like this, so I am certain it isn't a diesel thing. This is the only E-320 I have driven so I don't have a reference other than an E-350 which I test drove. It shifted normally. Thanks in advance for any assistance offered. V/R Rob

raymond g-

since this is field resettable, try resetting the adaptive trans. search forum
for keywords TRANSMISSION RESET or ECU RESET or TCU RESET.

periodically reported to resolve hard dwnshift ailment

Vik888

Are you driving in "S" or "C" mode?

dtrentr

I had that problem way back, and the dealership updated the computer software which mostly solved the problem. It's a known issue and well discussed, search for hard downshift.

konigstiger

ECU and transmission software updates for the 211.022:

P-B-27.00/87b FEB07 – transmission flare between 1-2 or 2-3 when cold or first shifts of the day
S-B-27.00/104 APR08 – hesitation accelerating back up from low speeds
S-B-27.00/105 APR08 – harsh 1-2
S-B-27.00/107a OCT08 – uncomfortable shifts 1-2, 2-3, 3-2, and 2-1

Normally DTBs are not covered out of warranty but in this case, MB released SW updates to correct specific BlueTec performance problems. Print this post and request goodwill repair.

Vik888

Someone just made a new thread to address a fix. Not sure why they didn't just reply to this one, but look for it. Its pretty much in line with konigstiger's reply.

DubVBenz

I took mine in with all 4 of those DTB's from Konigstiger (thanks!) a few months ago. They fixed one of them and told me the rest were just "characteristic" of a diesel engine. They DID fix the harsh abrupt downshift, but not the hesitation, flare or uncomfortable shifts at slow speeds..

Is it possible to check the software versions with a STAR tool?

raymond g-

ahh...my reading comprehension error (Bluetec). hope you get that resolved easily.

konigstiger

Yes, SDS can retrieve software version. Since you have repeat complaints, have shop foreman road test vehicle with you to duplicate so it is resolved.

RobF15e

I performed the tranny reset suggested by Raymond-g. It helped a little. 1st gear is not as bad, 2nd is about the same. I don't believe I have a comfort or sport mode choice being a diesel. I will check with the dealer to see if all recalls and SBs have been complied with. I am wanting to change the ATF. so maybe that will help as well. Thanks for the suggestions. If I learn more or get the problem solved. I'll post the solution.

AMGSpartan

Hello Rob,

My 2007 E320 Bluetec with 41,xxx miles does exactly what you describe above. It has been like that since I bought it about 4000 miles ago. I had the dealer do the tranny service at 39K and told them how is downshifted roughly. They checked the transmission and said it "performs as designed." That is odd since my 2008 GL320 Bluetec, which has the same engine and tranny, shifts very smoothly and has none of the low speed jerkiness of the E320.

I will have to take it back to the dealer with Konigster's info in hand.

/Spart

RobF15e

I did manage to find the C/S button on my way to work today. It was in "S". I selected "C" for the trip in and didn't notice any difference. I did however discover something. When I know I have a long distance to coast to a stop, if I shift to "N", then back to "D", the car will coast to a stop without the transmission downshifting and lugging the car. The RPM remain at idle the whole time. Stepping on the brake didn't change anything. Stepping on the accelerator caused the car to accel smoothly. Seems like that is close to how that car should opperate normally. On my Super Dutys, they will stay in gear while coasting down for about a 5 mph drop, then unlock the torque converter and the engine goes to idle. On the newer ones, if you accel while coasting (going down hill) the torque converter locks up and it will downshift to provide some engine braking. Seems like MB has missed the boat with this tranny. Hopefully a reflash will improve things.

DubVBenz

That's probably not the best idea, however I do manually upshift when driving around slowly (as in a large parking lot). Even though the transmission speed indicator stays in D, you can see the RPMs change and feel the car upshift if you just bump the gear shift to the right. I'm not sure why the transmission speed indicator doesn't reflect upshifts unless you've manually downshifted already...

RobF15e

I contacted MB of Rocklin via email, and was told the software updates are not part of the recall process. That the car would have to be brought in for troubleshooting. Here is the exchange after my first long email explaining my problems and the suggestions I received from here:
Dealer
I pulled the VMI and there are no outstanding campaigns or recalls. I will update or add your information to this vehicle on our system.

Me
Thanks. So am I to understand the car has the latest transmission flash then? Because this car shifts very poorly when going 3 to 2 and 2 to 1.

Dealer
No the software you refer to is not related to any campaigns or recalls and would need to be verified and diagnoised.

So far I am not impressed with the dealer responce, but since the car just tossed a P2033 code (EGT sensor high voltage) I may have to take it in anyway. Maybe if they get money out of me for a trans flush/service or EGT replacement I'll be able to get them to flash the transmission. I don't notice any difference between "C" and "S" in normal driving. I don't race/hot rod the car, so maybe that is why they seem the same to me.

Polar Bear

I have an E320 CDI but is has the 5 speed transmission. That does not sound like normal behavior. The diesel really should not drive any different than the gas 7 speed with the exception of the torque that comes on when the boost comes in. I know it has been reported that the 722.6 transmission has always had a noticeable downshift compared to the five speed.

The interesting thing is that you say it makes no difference in S or C. C should make the vehicle start in 2nd gear unless you press the accelerator nearly to the floor when taking off. Also, it should eliminate the 2-1 downshift since the vehicle would not need to go into first (unless it is when you first start the car and it is still cold).

Polar Bear

Also, the 2010 cars default to C mode after an ignition cycle so it should do no harm to leave it in C. Many drivers do this to eliminate that shift.

There is an issue that has been reported that is an internal transmission issue that may need addressed.

The DTBs that konigstiger referenced are just technical bullitins that aid dealerships when troubleshooting an issue that MB has deemed common and is not the same as a recall or campaign.

RobF15e

I can't find any difference in "S" and "C" mode. Both use all 7 gears. Shift points in normal driving seem to be the same, and the car remains in "S" after shutting down and restarting the car. I have not raced the car, so maybe the shift points change at max acceleration. Seems like it doesn't work as advertized. Can't get to the dealership due to my current work schedule - and not certain I want to pay them to tell me nothing is wrong. But I also have a P2033 code. I noticed the wire to what I believe is a EGT sensor just prior to the PDF is cut almost all the way through. I need to find a maintenance manual for this car. Finding information on it isn't easy.

Vik888

pay them? Isn't your car still under factory warranty?

C = starts car in 2nd gear
S = 1st gear+

In my E550 which has less torque than the diesel, stepping on the gas in "S" is a huge difference than "C" .. Driving in "S" in my car will literally result in me going through tires every 10k miles .. even in "C" and my spirited driving I'm going through tires in 15k miles.

RobF15e

The car is no longer under warrenty as it has 60,000 miles on it. It has been suggested that the dealership might reflash my transmission for free since the 7 speed is well known to have problems. 4 DTCs have been issued for it already. I emailed the local dealership about it but they didn't seem interested in loading the new software without performing a "diagnostic"

fatherhood

My '07 bluetec is doing a very similar thing. In fact it's at the dealer right now. Did you ever get this issue resolved? I have a limited time left on my waranty so I can't afford to have them just flash the tranny and have the problem reappear when the warranty expires.
Been reading some of the other posts pertaining to this 7 speed unit and quiet a few of them ended with the person getting a valve body replacement and one even getting a whole new tranny. Obviously, I would like to have those kind of repairs done on someone else's dime.

RobF15e

I never did get it resolved. It is most noticable when the tranny is cold. We have a stop sign 150' from our driveway. Just far enough for the car to have shifted into second, so as you start to apply the brake it downshifts and you look like a wobbly head doll as your head snaps forward. We are used to it now, but it is definately not what you expect from a $50,000 luxury car. Hell, I don't expect it from any car... I haven't gotten my EGT fixed yet either... Oil needs to be changed... I am way too busy. I did get 35-36 MPG driving 1,000 miles from Sacramento down to San Diego and back at 75-80 MPH with the A/C on 1/2 the time. I was happy about that!

DubVBenz

Firmware upgrades took care of most of my problem, but it still can be a little harsh when quite cold. Mine isn't usually a downshift problem, it's a "do not shift out of 1st" problem. so you accelerate to 8-10mph, let your foot off the gas to coast and it's like engine braking. My old 300SD tended to do this to, i think it has something to do with the resistance to coasting at low RPMs of diesels that is further exacerbated by the car being cold.

fatherhood

Wow, that's really sad. What "fixes" were attempted? Did you get the valve body replaced?
My problem it not so much the down shifting but rather it doesn't coast. When I let up on the gas in the lower gears I get significant engine braking. The problem is worse when the car is cold. Almost as if the torque converter is not disengaging.
Also, even when in "C" mode, there is significantly more creep than in our C-class. The '04 C-class has a 5 speed 4matic with no issues other then when cold it stays in gear a little longer to warm up the engine and cats faster.
Mmm, "The best or nothing" indeed.

fatherhood

DubVBenz

I didn't see your post before I responded. That's exactly my problem! Glad to hear that the firmware upgrade took care of it, mostly. My boss, read my better half, already made it clear I would driving this car for a "looooong while" and having this issue unresolved would make the next "looooong while" seem even longer.

apl175

The second gear start in 'C' mode is not present in Diesel models due to the high torque. Both modes start in first gear. This is mentioned somewhere in Startek.